FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.09.2007 23:57

Rijkaard: "We played very comfortably"

Vanessa Forns

Frank Rijkaard believed that his FC Barcelona team looked comfortable throughout the 4-1 victory over Levante on Saturday evening, a game that saw Thierry Henry score his first league goals for the club.

The Dutch coach pinpointed the opening goal as the key to the Blaugrana's victory as it opened up the home team and allowed a more fluid encounter to take shape. "Levante left us more space and we have made very good use of that," he said. "We played very comfortably." Although never easy to win matches, Rijkaard admitted that "at specific moment it was easy, especially when were four goals ahead and they did not press us much."

Touré and Milito

Despite the emphatic victory, the Barça boss said that he had been left with "a bitter taste in the mouth" after Touré Yaya limped out of the action with a thigh injury towards the end with a victory after Gabi Milito had already been replaced because of a hip problem.. "We have to live with that," Rijkaard continued. "We have other players who can play in these positions, even though everyone has a different way of playing in each of them."

Other options

Reflecting on Touré's injury, Rijkaard continued: "He has been a very important player for us and it is a pity that he has picked up an injury." He then talked about Milito's withdrawal at half-time. "Milito told us he had problems at the break, while Márquez has had to stay in Barcleona. It is a hsame, but we have to live with these things and remember that there are other options."

Congratulations for Henry

Finally, the Barça coach congratulated Henry on his hat-trick as the Frenchman netted twice before the break and then added a third just after the interval to put Barça firmly in control.